In the summer of 2018, I traveled to northeastern Saskatchewan to Wollaston Lake Lodge to fish for big northern pike. (See “Armed to the Teeth.”) At dinner on the first night, we met our tablemate, a woman named Mary Pettigrew, . . .
Read Morefly fishing for northern pike
Armed to the Teeth: The Northern Pike of Wollaston Lake
Photo by Joel Ruby
“Can we please change this fly?” Guide Dan Lembke–all six-foot-eight, two-hundred and ninety
pounds of him–was sitting in the center of the boat, rebuilding my wire leader
and considering what fly to tie on, . . .
Hawk Lake Lodge, Day Three: Teeth and Mouths
After two days of fantastic smallmouth fishing at Hawk Lake Lodge, we decided to head for a smaller lake known for its great pike population. Sandy and I once again teamed up with guide Jeff Blum for a very short boat ride, followed by a hike to . . .
Read MoreWhat I Learned on My First Trip for Northern Pike
Written by: Chuck Coolidge
The author hoists his first northern pike on a fly. Can you tell he’s excited?
Photos by Chuck Coolidge
Wisconsin is well-known for its solid predator fishing, and muskies get almost all the attention. However, there’s another member of the Esox genus that’s significantly more abundant and, some would say just as fun, that you can fish for year round: . . .
Read MorePhotos: First Success with a Fly Rod is a Powerful Memory
Written by: Mike Lembke, Wollaston Lake Lodge
Nick took to the fly rod quickly, after years of wanting to try it.
Photos courtesy Wollaston Lake Lodge
Young Nick is becoming quite the outdoorsman. While fishing at Wollaston Lake Lodge with his family for the past few years, he kept eyeing the fly rod as his next challenge. After a few . . .
Read MoreWollaston Lake Lodge, Day Three: Duck, Duck, Pike
This pike decided to attack the mouse fly from above, which made for an exciting strike.
Photos by Sandy Hays
The rain started during the night, and we awoke to the steady thrum of big drops hitting the metal roof of our cabin at Wollaston Lake Lodge. The forecast called for things to get significantly . . .
Read MoreWollaston Lake Lodge, Day Two: Bigger Is Better
Dan Lembke demonstrates the proper hold of a big northern pike in preparation for release.
Photo by Sandy Hays
Our second day at Wollaston Lake Lodge (click here for a report on the first) promised weather much like the day before–80 degrees and sunny–and we were looking forward to trying to find some . . .
Read MoreWollaston Lake Lodge, Day One: Big Water
Another Wollaston Lake northern pike comes to the boat.
Photos by Sandy Hays
At the 2018 Orvis Guide Rendezvous in Asheville, North Carolina, back in April, Wollaston Lake Lodge was announced as this year’s Endorsed Fly-Fishing Lodge of the Year. At the after . . .
Read MoreFour Trophy Fishing Experiences in the Last Frontier
The 30-inch mark is an Alaskan distinction between really big rainbows and HUGE rainbows.
Photo courtesy Crystal Creek Lodge
Alaska is blessed with an incredible wealth of sport-fishing opportunities—from easy-to-reach streams that flow alongside highways or right through town, to remote waters accessible . . .
Read MorePhotos: Fanning the Flames of Fly-Fishing Passion
Written by: Mike Lembke, Wollaston Lake Lodge
Young River learns the satisfaction of catching a big fish on a fly you tied yourself.
Photo courtesy Wollaston Lake Lodge
Twelve-year-old River is on his second trip to Wollaston Lake Lodge this week. He loves fishing, and traveled to Canada with his father, grandfather and brother. He is quite the young man, . . .
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